Question - I recently changed my graphics card to a Riva TNT2 Ultra. Now the
only version of Cricket World Cup 99 I can get to work is the original buggy version on
the CD-ROM. As soon as I apply the 1st patch all graphics disappear and the screen just
remains blank! Anyone else have a similar problem?

It seems the file I suggested was the 2nd patch was not despite being on EA's
site and having a name cwc_patch_1_and_2.exe. The file has now been updated and there are
2 versions of it - one for people who have already applied the patch and one for that
includes all the 1st patch changes. Also received an email from the producer of Cricket
World Cup 99 and he sent me a list of the changes.

Updated Downloads page - added links to both
versions of 2nd patch plus list of what patch fixes. Note these files have not yet
officially appeared on the EA site so could change again.

Thursday, 22 July 1999

Electronics Boutique and Game Ltd are now selling Cricket World Cup 99 for
£19.99. Speaking to the staff at my local EB they said they had sold a lot of copies but
quite a few had been returned under their 10 day guarantee.

Received an email that indicated Creative Assembly had released a 2nd patch for
Cricket World Cup 99. Whilst no mention of it yet on the EA site the file does exist. No
idea what this patch fixes. The email also indicated this 2nd patch will be the last patch
for the game.

Not sure when EA Europe are going to update there page but it still claims the
patch is in testing. EA Australia are nearly as bad - the demo for Cricket World Cup 99 is
listed in the directoru but there is still no official mention of it on the site.

Updated Downloads page - added hints on downloading
patch for those having problems.

Monday, 21 June 1999

Heard from the producer of Cricket World Cup 99 at Creative Assembly today. A
patch has been released today on the Australian CWC 99
site yet on the European CWC
99 site it says it is still in testing. He sent me the latest readme file for the patch.

I have not yet downloaded the patch as it is 13 Mb in size. Thanks to all
the people who sent me emails saying the patch had been released. Why is the patch v1.0?
Does this mean EA are admitting this is the first proper version and that the game as sold
in the shops was a beta release and rushed out to coincide with the tournament?

Also heard from the producer that a demo should be released tomorrow. Not sure
how big it will be yet or what it will offer.

If anyone want to trade Cricket World Cup 99 for an Enhanced version of International Test Cricket please get in touch. Must be fully
boxed with all instructions. I still need a second copy as my review copy never turned up.
With all the bad feedback the game is receiving surely someone is happy to trade :-)

As some people know I had an interview with Creative Assembly, the creators of
Cricket World Cup 99. Unfortunately it was not feasible for me to work there with my
current circumstances. I did not get much chance to talk about CWC 99 but have hopefully
now got a contact address within CA to get the latest details. Some things I did find out
were the whole game was developed in a year and that some of the development team are on
holiday since completing the game so this could be affecting the patch timetable.

The latest news on the EA site
regarding patches has changed but the date of last change remains 27 May.

27.5.99 Patches Coming

CWC Upgrade patch status report

The first upgrade for CWC 99 is now in testing and will be released shortly.
Features of this upgrade include:

Player statistics updates and corrections

Left handed players

A complete list of features will be included at the time of release.

Two further upgrades will be released during the finals phase of the
tournament which will include further stats/squad upgrades including photos and commentary
for players that were not included in the original CWC99 starting lineups.

It has always been planned that a series of updates would be released for
CWC 99 to keep the players stats current with the actual event. Rest assured we are
cricket fans too and will definitely release these updates/patches for CWC'99 a soon as we
can, so that CWC'99 remains the best cricket game available -until we release a sequel !!!

As soon as we can be more precise about the release dates of the patches we
will update the web site, so watch this space...

CWC PLANNED UPDATES

JUNE '99 Update 1 - error corrections for player stats* and bug fixes
including left-handed batsmen and bowlers. (* will still only feature the provisional
squads of 20 players as used in the original release of the game as the final 15's were
announced too late for inclusion.)

JUNE '99 Update 2 - we are currently hoping to coincide with the Super 6's,
if we can get it done in time - it will update all squads to the ones actually used in the
CWC along with the relevant; stats,batting orders,player profiles and photos, plus
additional commentary of the new player's names from Richie. Ouch -
whilst great news this could be a big download!

JULY '99 Update 3 - to coincide with the finals if we can get it done in
time, will feature all player stats updated to reflect their performances during the
competition.

I am actually visiting Creative Assembly next Tuesday for a job interview so if
possible will try and get the very latest information straight from the horses mouth so to
speak.

There will be a patch addressing the main issues of the lefthanded batsmen
and bowlers soon, as well as fixing a few of the minor player roster details. This patch
is currently under development and will be posted here as soon as its completed.

EA Cricket World Cup was finally released here in the UK on Friday. It costs
£34.99 which is a high end price rather than the mid-range price of $49.99 (~£21) in
Australia. My review copy has not yet arrived but I succumbed and bought it yesterday. See
my review for my initial impressions.

Nathan West has updated his FAQ file
for the game to 1.0524. The latest version can be found on his site.

The game should be released in the UK tomorrow. Unfortunately due to a slight
mix up my review copy was only dispatched today (from Australia) so I may go out and buy
it or wait for the review copy which should arrive some time next week.

EA Cricket World Cup is now available in Australia. EA have held back the
release in the UK until Friday, 21 May which seeing as the game has been ready since
Friday, 7 May and the World Cup has already started seems ridiculous. People in the US can
now order the game online from EA Stores.

The game can also be bought online now from this New Zealand site. Thanks to Digesh Gajjar for this information.

The price for the game in the UK is going to be £34.99 which considering it was
released in Australia for $49.99 is a lot more expensive. Probably cheaper to buy it from
Australia and get it sent over!

I am hoping to get my review copy of the game within the next few days and will
try and add a review as soon as possible. In the meantime If you have the game please send me your
review/feedback of the game.

Nathan West has created a FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions) file for the game. The latest version can be found on his site.

Release date will vary slightly in each territory as we will ship out to the
UK, US, NZ and around Australia simultaneously. Here in OZ its on trucks as I speak on its
way to our warehouse in Queensland so I would assume the same is happening for the other
regions. It would be a safe bet to say that the mentioned regions should have it by 17th
(which gives a full week for shipments to be completed to the necessary areas).

My guess for a UK release is this Friday (same day as start of the World Cup) as
that is normal release day. Australia should get it earlier. In New Zealand it is already
out. If you buy the game please send me your
review/feedback of the game.

System Requirements are as follows: With 3D:P200 - 32MB ram - 8x CD ROM - 4
button gamepad. Without 3D:P166 - 140MB HD Space - 32MB Ram - 4x CD ROM (there is an
addendum at the bottom that adds a 4MB video card with direct draw). Seems
strange that you require more processing power for the 3D card version.

Friday, 7 May 1999

EA Cricket World Cup was definitely not released in the UK today. Electronics
Boutique think it will be the 21st whilst other sources say 14th. In Australia the game
will start shipping on Monday. Have seen one source claim it is already available in New
Zealand.

Not yet been sent any questions to ask the producer of the game in an email
interview. If you have any sensible questions you would like to ask please send them in.
Deadline for questions is Sunday.

Thursday, 6 May 1999

I have been offered the chance to interview via email the producer of the game.
If you have any sensible questions you would like to ask please send them in.
Deadline for questions is Sunday.

More details of what will be included in the game are filtering through. This
news is appearing mainly on Caught
Behind.

The game will feature the group matches stage of the world cup.

Around 12 stadia will be in the game, not the 5-6 that EA originally mentioned.

I've just received confirmation that not only will left handed batsman be
missing, but there will not be any left handed bowlers in the initial release of CWC.

CWC will not feature left-handed players in the initial version of the game. EA
Sports should be releasing a patch to fix this (part of the live updated rosters?).

There are rumours that the game has been delayed for a week to 14 May but these
have yet to be confirmed. I was told this by a tech support guy at EA UK.

Saw the first advert in the UK for the game in PC Zone June Issue. I don't have
a scanner so can not scan it in but if someone out there has a scanner and can send me a
.jpg of the file (please try and reduce the size to a sensible one) I would be very
grateful.

I have been kindly sent a CD-ROM by EA Australia. I don't know what is on the CD
as it has not yet arrived. With a bit of luck it will have a build of the game so I can
play it.

Updated Wish List - whilst the game has not yet been
released, the news of items already missing means this page has started a little earlier
than intended.

Sunday, 2 May 1999

Have been reliably informed by EA that the game has already gone gold (master CD
has been produced) and will be released this Friday, May 7. CricketGames.com has been
promised a review copy so I hope to get a review up as soon as it is released.

Drastically improved this section. Currently a lot of the content is from the
official EA
site (can anyone currently access it?) and Caught Behind (Matt the webmaster has an excellent source within EA).